O2 iPhone Customers - Get out of contract!

Shredneck · 16-06-2010 11:25am #1

O2 are changing call charges outside the bundle of minutes included in your iPhone Price Plans from 12th July 2010.
This change in call charges constitutes a change to the terms of the contract between O2 and you, the customer. Therefore you are free to be removed from contract without penalty.
The changes in rates are minimal but you might just want to get yourself out of contract.
Act fast though because if you do not contact O2 requesting to be removed from this contract in advance of 12th July you will be assumed to be accepting of the change in terms.

All info available on O2.ie under 'Terms and Conditions'

http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/About%20O2/Terms+and+conditions/Customer+Notification

Your welcome

whiterebel · 16-06-2010 12:36pm

Good spot. I didn't think they could change your contract without your consent, and silence doesn't signify acceptance, AFAIK. How stupid is that, changing terms before the iPhone is out, letting people out of contract and free to go to Three or VF......The mind boggles.

Dades · 16-06-2010 12:42pm

Are you sure there's nothing in their T&Cs that allows them to change charges, as long as you are aware, and have the option to change tariff if you want?

Don't know if there is - just wouldn't surprise me.

aidan_walsh · 16-06-2010 12:45pm

Section 4

-we may vary our Charges or the Deposit/PrePayment (if any) or the price plans on which they are based, or the terms thereof, at any time. We will give you such prior notice of changes as is practical.

We will notify you of changes in our price plans (including the price plan applicable to you) and of offers and terms introduced by us, by notice to you at either your billing address or email address or by advertisements in the national press. Every invoice and notice from us to you will be deemed served 48 hours after posting or on earlier proof of delivery; every change in price plans and every offer and term will be deemed notified to you at close of business on the first day on which it is advertised in the national press or made available on www.o2.ie.

Yet in section 10

You can terminate this Agreement without incurring termination fees if we exercise our right to change the terms of your Contract (including a change to your Price Plan). If you wish to terminate this Agreement in these circumstances you must notify us by calling 1909 or contacting us by some other reliable format within 30 days of the date we notify you or otherwise make the change publically known. Your continued use of the O2 Services as changed by us shall be deemed acceptance by you of the change.

cojomo2 · 16-06-2010 12:47pm

I wouldn't say its that straight forward.

If I took out an iPhone contract 2-3 weeks ago, see this, and tell them I want out, they are hardly going to let me off, and keep a subsidised iPhone.

I would guess that they have the option of keeping you in contract if they want, by not applying theses new charges to your account .

Worth a try though!

Shredneck · 16-06-2010 12:49pm

Dades wrote: »

Are you sure there's nothing in their T&Cs that allows them to change charges, as long as you are aware, and have the option to change tariff if you want?

Don't know if there is - just wouldn't surprise me.

Follow the link I posted earlier it states on O2's webside that they have to let you out of contract as a result of these changes. But only if you request it.

Under Regulation 17 of the European Communities (electronic communications networks and services)(Universal Service and Users’ rights) regulations 2003 an operator shall not shall not less than one month prior to the date of implementation of any proposed modification, notify its subscribers to that service of the proposed modification in the conditions of the contract for that service, and their right to withdraw without penalty from such contract if they do not accept the modification. If you wish to exercise your right under Regulation 17 please contact O2. The continued use of O2 services after the effective date of the change is deemed acceptance of the change.

And it is true as I have already contacted O2 and they have taken me out of contract no hassle at all.

cojomo2 · 16-06-2010 12:54pm

Shredneck wrote: »

Follow the link I posted earlier it states on O2's webside that they have to let you out of contract as a result of these changes. But only if you request it.

Under Regulation 17 of the European Communities (electronic communications networks and services)(Universal Service and Users’ rights) regulations 2003 an operator shall not shall not less than one month prior to the date of implementation of any proposed modification, notify its subscribers to that service of the proposed modification in the conditions of the contract for that service, and their right to withdraw without penalty from such contract if they do not accept the modification. If you wish to exercise your right under Regulation 17 please contact O2. The continued use of O2 services after the effective date of the change is deemed acceptance of the change.

And it is true as I have already contacted O2 and they have taken me out of contract no hassle at all.

probably a silly question:

If I buy an iphone on contract now, and its the standard contract with no mention of these new charges, can I ring up in a week and opt out, and keep the phone!?

o2 screwed me in the past, no I wouldn't hesitate!

Dades · 16-06-2010 12:58pm

Shredneck wrote: »

And it is true as I have already contacted O2 and they have taken me out of contract no hassle at all.

Fair play!

I just didn't want to see dozens of iPhoners have their dreams dashed after trying to escape O2.

Though, as cojomo2 suggests, how would this would work with heavily subsidised handsets?

Patrickof · 16-06-2010 1:10pm

I believe they may be entitled to request the handset be returned as part of the contract termination.

dazedandlost · 16-06-2010 1:10pm

Even worse, they are stopping their webtext service from 3rd Aug !

No more Eirtext or Jelly SMS !!!!!!

http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/About%20O2/Terms+and+conditions/Customer+Notification

seamus · 16-06-2010 1:11pm

Dades wrote: »

Though, as cojomo2 suggests, how would this would work with heavily subsidised handsets?

You won't be able to get your handset unlocked

Even worse, they are stopping their webtext service from 3rd Aug !

No more Eirtext or Jelly SMS !!!!!!

They're not. That's Desktop text, it's a different service altogether. Webtext won't be taken down.

That would be suicide.

Shredneck · 16-06-2010 1:12pm

Dades wrote: »

Fair play!

I just didn't want to see dozens of iPhoners have their dreams dashed after trying to escape O2.

Though, as cojomo2 suggests, how would this would work with heavily subsidised handsets?

I'm not saying it's an escape from O2 I've done this and am still with O2 just no longer in contract with them.

Basically I purchased a 16gb iPhone in April for €200 and entered an 18 month contract on the Advance 150 plan a friend who works for O2 mentioned this to me - I contacted the O2 call centre a couple of days ago and now I'm out of contract but still on the network.

dazedandlost · 16-06-2010 1:15pm

seamus wrote: »

You won't be able to get your handset unlocked

They're not. That's Desktop text, it's a different service altogether. Webtext won't be taken down.

That would be suicide.

Webtext is Desktop text is it not?

FungiWalsh · 16-06-2010 1:17pm

Anyone know what the situation will be with cancelling your contract when your subsidised phone has already been unlocked by O2?

Shredneck · 16-06-2010 1:22pm

dazedandlost wrote: »

Webtext is Desktop text is it not?

No it's completely different product. WEBTEXT is the free SMS sent from O2.ie Desktop text is a product businesses could have whereby the could send sms direcly from their own Outlook

Fingleberries · 16-06-2010 1:25pm

Did I understand it right, and they are going to charge 9c call set-up charge, even for free calls on prepay?

Shredneck · 16-06-2010 1:26pm

FungiWalsh wrote: »

Anyone know what the situation will be with cancelling your contract when your subsidised phone has already been unlocked by O2?

Doesn't make any difference. We all know the reason for the contract is in part to cover the cost of subsiding the handset but to my knowledge this isn't actually expressed in the contract itself. If they already unlocked the phone for you it's unlocked end of story this change to call charges is a seperate issue.

seamus · 16-06-2010 1:28pm

Fingleberries wrote: »

Did I understand it right, and they are going to charge 9c call set-up charge, even for free calls on prepay?

No, it's a 9c setup charge for any calls which aren't, "calls to voicemail, calls rated at 1c per minute and free calls".

Dortilolma · 16-06-2010 1:29pm

Shredneck wrote: »

I'm not saying it's an escape from O2 I've done this and am still with O2 just no longer in contract with them.

Basically I purchased a 16gb iPhone in April for €200 and entered an 18 month contract on the Advance 150 plan a friend who works for O2 mentioned this to me - I contacted the O2 call centre a couple of days ago and now I'm out of contract but still on the network.

What does that mean exactly? You're pay as you go now? Or just that you're not obliged to stay with O2 for the 18 months but still pay a monthly fee with a certain amount of minutes and texts?

cojomo2 · 16-06-2010 1:40pm

so is it too late to buy iphone on contract, and then phone up to get out of contract, and keep said phone?

chrislad · 16-06-2010 1:45pm

Hmmm, curious. I'm cancelling mine as O2 don't seem to be getting the iPhone 4 on release date and I want to keep my options open. My contract was due up on Jan 2011 anyways, and my wife isn't going to cancel hers as the package is working for her. Will post back and report on how I get on.

chrislad · 16-06-2010 1:46pm

cojomo2 wrote: »

so is it too late to buy iphone on contract, and then phone up to get out of contract, and keep said phone?

Yes. Anyone signing up after the changes would be assumed to be aware of the changes (which aren't really changes as they are now the norm, if you catch my drift)

Shredneck · 16-06-2010 1:50pm

Dortilolma wrote: »

What does that mean exactly? You're pay as you go now? Or just that you're not obliged to stay with O2 for the 18 months but still pay a monthly fee with a certain amount of minutes and texts?

I'm still Bill Pay with exactly the same package as before I am just no longer contracted to stay with O2

cojomo2 · 16-06-2010 1:51pm

chrislad wrote: »

Hmmm, curious. I'm cancelling mine as O2 don't seem to be getting the iPhone 4 on release date and I want to keep my options open. My contract was due up on Jan 2011 anyways, and my wife isn't going to cancel hers as the package is working for her. Will post back and report on how I get on.

why wouldn't your wife cancel? I'd say she can get out of contract but remain on the plan if she wants..

Shredneck · 16-06-2010 2:08pm

cojomo2 wrote: »

why wouldn't your wife cancel? I'd say she can get out of contract but remain on the plan if she wants..

Exactly. I think people are confusing the Bill Pay Price Plan with the actual Contract

When you join a network or accept an upgrade etc you are usually contracted to that network for a period of 12 or 18 months. Generally speaking you'll have to stay with your chosen Price Plan or Tarriff for at least the first 6 months. When your 12 / 18 month contract expires you continue on your chosen Price Plan provided you don't request to change it.

The same is true for this situation - if you contact O2 and request to be taken out of contract, the contract is the only thing that changes. You will remain on the same price plan untill you choose to change.

RobbieTheRobber · 16-06-2010 2:14pm

Thanks for the link OP, they may well have mailed me like they claim and I would have shredded it as O2 crap.

So it seems all the iphone plans are being changed and all we have to do is ring them before the 12th of July and say sorry I dont accept those terms and your contract is done.
_________________________________________________________________

I just rang O2 and yes all existing iphone tariffs are affected and we can withdraw from contracts.

I might just get the iphone 4 now

:D:D

Zamp · 16-06-2010 2:18pm

RobbieTheRobber wrote: »

I just rang O2 and yes all existing iphone tariffs are affected and we can withdraw from contracts.

I might just get the iphone 4 now :D:D

So you can withdraw from your contract, keep your phone and stay on your current monthly price plan? That's unbelievable.

I think I'll be joining the queue for an Iphone 4!!

JohnC. · 16-06-2010 2:24pm

cojomo2 wrote: »

why wouldn't your wife cancel? I'd say she can get out of contract but remain on the plan if she wants..

That's not what is being said on the O2 forums.

And that completes the circle of their thread linking to this thread and this thread linking to theirs.

Zulu · 16-06-2010 2:32pm

That's incredible! I just rang and quit my contract, granted it was up in July anyway, but nice spot for anyone just staring!
Great spot OP, kudeos

TrueDub · 16-06-2010 2:34pm

I just rang them, and once I'd explained to the person exactly what I wanted to do it was done almost instantly. Happy days!

HuntingDrog · 16-06-2010 2:34pm

just rang o2 there and the rep couldn't say yes/no. Said Business Support would be in contact with me in next 48 hrs.

I rhymed off the t&c wording that was posted earlier but she just wasn't sure and said they'd get back to me.

it would be great if i could get removed from the contract but stay on the plan....fingers crossed

Dades · 16-06-2010 2:41pm

Shredneck wrote: »

Exactly. I think people are confusing the Bill Pay Price Plan with the actual Contract.

I think the relevant point is - once you are out of contract, regardless of whether you are still paying monthly on the network - you are free to leave at any time and get "new customer" deals with a new carrier.

Can you avail of the same deals by remaining with O2 if you promise to sign a new contract (assuming you are not due an upgrade)?

Kahless wrote: »

That's not what is being said on the O2 forums.

I notice the Mods there haven't commented. Perhaps there's some furious clarification and damage-limitation going on behind the O2 scenes. :pac:

dicknorris · 16-06-2010 2:43pm

I have the nokia 5800 with O2 and want to get the iphone but am still under contract with the nokia 5800 they won't let me upgrade have to let my contrt run out. can I get out of the contract with my nokia or is this for someone with an iphone the change of contract applies

RobbieTheRobber · 16-06-2010 2:45pm

Dades wrote: »

I notice the Mods there haven't commented. Perhaps there's some furious clarification and damage-limitation going on behind the O2 scenes. :pac:

Thats what puzzles me most, a mod could end that discussion with a statement one way or another.

It surely doesn't make much business sense for them to scare off customers to another network after they lose the contracts, seeing as long as they remain on O2 its still revenue.

Ballyman · 16-06-2010 2:48pm

Excellent spot. I only signed up to an 18 month iPhone contract last month and I rang them an hour ago and they cancelled my contract without question!

Super Stuff!!!!

Dades · 16-06-2010 2:50pm

RobbieTheRobber wrote: »

It surely doesn't make much business sense for them to scare off customers to another network after they lose the contracts, seeing as long as they remain on O2 its still revenue.

Perhaps someone underestimated the power of the internet to disseminate bargains/loopholes/gossip etc.

This has probably gone unnoticed for years!

Crackity Jones · 16-06-2010 2:52pm

HuntingDrog wrote: »

just rang o2 there and the rep couldn't say yes/no. Said Business Support would be in contact with me in next 48 hrs.

I rhymed off the t&c wording that was posted earlier but she just wasn't sure and said they'd get back to me.

it would be great if i could get removed from the contract but stay on the plan....fingers crossed

so I'm nearly 12mths into an 18 mth contract, I can ring up and get the contract cancelled but is my handset still locked to o2? Will it only be unlocked until 18 mths have elapsed?

RobbieTheRobber · 16-06-2010 2:53pm

Crackity Jones wrote: »

so I'm nearly 12mths into an 18 mth contract, I can ring up and get the contract cancelled but is my handset still locked to o2? Will it only be unlocked until 18 mths have elapsed?

You can request your iphone to be unlocked on the o2 forums!

http://forums.o2online.ie/forums/showthread.php?9038-iPhone-Unlocking

elvis jones · 16-06-2010 2:56pm

I've just asked my wife to ring them. I'm getting an an iPhone 4 in July anyway but a move to vodafone will be in the cards.

ingen · 16-06-2010 3:08pm

Shredneck wrote: »

O2 are changing call charges outside the bundle of minutes included in your iPhone Price Plans from 12th July 2010.
This change in call charges constitutes a change to the terms of the contract between O2 and you, the customer. Therefore you are free to be removed from contract without penalty.
The changes in rates are minimal but you might just want to get yourself out of contract.
Act fast though because if you do not contact O2 requesting to be removed from this contract in advance of 12th July you will be assumed to be accepting of the change in terms.

All info available on O2.ie under 'Terms and Conditions'

http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/About%20O2/Terms+and+conditions/Customer+Notification

Your welcome

hi there, i have 2 lines on o2 release edge plan. under these changes calls to 11811 are increasing, for me .. rang o2 told me i could not avail of article 17. surely i can avail of this option as costs are increasing for me that i do not agree to?

lafors · 16-06-2010 3:11pm

ingen wrote: »

hi there, i have 2 lines on o2 release edge plan. under these changes calls to 11811 are increasing, for me .. rang o2 told me i could not avail of article 17. surely i can avail of this option as costs are increasing for me that i do not agree to?

Is it only for Advance & Clear plans?

dicknorris · 16-06-2010 3:11pm

Shredneck wrote: »

O2 are changing call charges outside the bundle of minutes included in your iPhone Price Plans from 12th July 2010.
This change in call charges constitutes a change to the terms of the contract between O2 and you, the customer. Therefore you are free to be removed from contract without penalty.
The changes in rates are minimal but you might just want to get yourself out of contract.
Act fast though because if you do not contact O2 requesting to be removed from this contract in advance of 12th July you will be assumed to be accepting of the change in terms.

All info available on O2.ie under 'Terms and Conditions'

http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/About%20O2/Terms+and+conditions/Customer+Notification

Your welcome

Many thanks for info just rang O2 cancelled contract while I spoke to them

kuro2k · 16-06-2010 3:11pm

Just rang O2 and it works .... I had 16 months left!!

Thanks OP !!

Tom Cruises Left Nut · 16-06-2010 3:15pm

So what exactly did you guys say when you called up ? Wanna get it straight before I do !

micks · 16-06-2010 3:20pm

So what exactly do you say when you ring them?
You want to break contract due to change in terms but remain with O2 ?

Shredneck · 16-06-2010 3:26pm

t|nt|n wrote: »

So what exactly did you guys say when you called up ? Wanna get it straight before I do !

All you have to say is: I was looking at the t&cs section of o2.ie and noticed O2 are changing the prices on my price plan so can you please take me out of
contract as i do not agree with the change to the contract. Simple as..

It is literally a simple act of unchecking a box on your account for the person you are talking to.

RobbieTheRobber · 16-06-2010 3:28pm

t|nt|n wrote: »

So what exactly did you guys say when you called up ? Wanna get it straight before I do !

micks wrote: »

So what exactly do you say when you ring them?
You want to break contract due to change in terms but remain with O2 ?

Well I just rang for info, but yeah just ring and say as per the notice on your site about changign terms and conditions, can you check for me if my contract is one fo the ones affected.

They will go off and come abck and say yes it is.

Then you say so I am allowed to terminate my contract as the terms have changed and they say yes.

Then you decide if thats what you want to do

ingen · 16-06-2010 3:28pm

Shredneck wrote: »

All you have to say is: I was looking at the t&cs section of o2.ie and noticed O2 are changing the prices on my price plan so can you please take me out of
contract as i do not agree with the change to the contract. Simple as..

It is literally a simple act of unchecking a box on your account for the person you are talking to.

i am on o2 release edge, and the prices quoted when i signed up have changed and got a lot more expensive.

they told me that i cannot get out of contract, is this correct? does the change in price of calls to 11811 allow me to exercise my right under article 17?

thanks

potsy11 · 16-06-2010 3:31pm

ingen wrote: »

i am on o2 release edge, and the prices quoted when i signed up have changed and got a lot more expensive.

they told me that i cannot get out of contract, is this correct? does the change in price of calls to 11811 allow me to exercise my right under article 17?

thanks

I am on O2 Release esge too. Interested to know if i can get out of contract.

cookie1977 · 16-06-2010 3:32pm

RobbieTheRobber wrote: »

Well I just rang for info, but yeah just ring and say as per the notice on your site about changign terms and conditions, can you check for me if my contract is one fo the ones affected.

They will go off and come abck and say yes it is.

Then you say so I am allowed to terminate my contract as the terms have changed and they say yes.

Then you decide if thats what you want to do

And did they make you leave O2 altogether or were you allowed stay on the network just not under contract anymore?

ingen · 16-06-2010 3:32pm

potsy11 wrote: »

I am on O2 Release esge too. Interested to know if i can get out of contract.

i think we should , as costs of calls to 11811 got a lot more expensive! than the advertised rates that was on their site when we signed up

O2 iPhone Customers - Get out of contract!

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